Today is the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. France has made the 34th Olympic Games historic with its grand preparations. For the first time in 129 years of Olympic history, the opening ceremony will not be inside the stadium but outside. The ceremony will start from the Seine River in Paris, where 10,500 athletes from 206 countries and associations will parade on boats. They will enjoy the opening program in the heart of the city. The parade will be 6 km long, and a record 300,000 spectators are expected to attend.
Where will the Ceremony be Held?
The opening ceremony in Paris will start at 11 PM local time on July 26. For the first time in history, the ceremony will move outside the stadium to the river and streets. The parade will start from the Seine River and continue for 6 km to the Trocadéro Gardens. More than 10,000 athletes will participate, and over 120 countries’ leaders and administrative officers will be present. After the parade, there will be dance and singing programs showcasing French culture. The ceremony will last about 2 hours. France has named the 2024 Olympics slogan as ‘Games Wide Open’.
What’s Different in the Ceremony?
– Parade of Nations: All athletes will board approximately 94 boats to participate in the ceremony. Boats will be equipped with cameras, allowing viewers to watch the Parade of Nations online and on TV. Athletes will travel on boats along the Seine River, arriving at the Trocadéro Gardens for the final show of the opening ceremony.
– Ceremony outside the Stadium: From the first Olympics in 1896 to 2020, the opening ceremony was held inside the stadium. For the first time in history, the ceremony will start from Paris’s famous Seine River. Cultural programs will also be held on the streets for the first time.
– Controversy over the River: There had been questions regarding the purity of the Seine River, but Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo addressed these concerns by swimming in the river. She demonstrated with her team that there would be no issues in holding the ceremony and sports events there, as water sports events are also scheduled to take place in the Seine this time.
India’s Position in the Parade?
The Parade of Nations will start with Greece, as the modern Olympics began in Greece in 1896, so they are always first. The positions for the Olympic parade are fixed: first, second, last, second last, and third last. After Greece, the second position is occupied by the Olympic Refugee Team. The host country is always in the last position, so France will be number 206. The hosts of the next Olympics, the United States in 2028, will be at number 205, and Australia for 2032 will be at number 204. Apart from these fixed positions, the positions of countries are decided alphabetically. Thus, Afghanistan is in third place, and India’s contingent of 117 players will be at number 84 in the Parade of Nations.
India’s Flag Bearer?
Shuttler P.V. Sindhu and table tennis player Sharath Kamal will carry India’s flag in the opening ceremony parade. Behind them will be 115 other Indian athletes. Sindhu won a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics and a bronze in 2020. This could be Sharath Kamal’s last Olympics; he has previously won gold at the Commonwealth Games for India.
India’s Remarkable Performance in Sports
In recent years, India has shown remarkable performance in sports. The youth have actively participated, and the athletes’ performance largely depends on their health. If athletes are healthy, they will perform well in sports. To enhance the health, immunity, and energy of athletes, health supplements like Dabur Chyawanprash can be taken. Dabur Chyawanprash is an excellent option today because it is rich in Ayurvedic properties. It not only keeps you physically fit but also keeps you mentally fit before any tournament.
Where Can You Watch the Ceremony?
In India, viewers can watch the Olympic opening ceremony live on Sports-18 on TV and online via JioTV.
When Will the Closing Ceremony Take Place?
Similar to the opening, the closing ceremony will also be held. This year, the closing ceremony will take place on August 11 at the Stade de France in Paris. The women’s basketball gold medal match will start at 7 PM, followed by the closing ceremony at 11:30 PM.
